title: The effects of antioxidants on semen traits and in vitro fertilizing ability of sperm from the flat-headed cat (Prionailurus planiceps).
abstract: Since antioxidants can overcome the negative effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during sperm cryopreservation, post-thaw sperm quality in flat-headed cats (Prionailurus planiceps), an endangered species, might benefit from the addition of antioxidants to semen extender. The objectives of this study were to: 1) investigate semen traits; and 2) evaluate effects of the vitamin E analogue Trolox (vitamin E) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) on the quality of frozen sperm from captive flat-headed cats in Thailand. Eight ejaculates were collected by electroejaculation from four flat-headed cats. Each semen sample was divided into three aliquots and re-suspended in a semen extender as follows: 1) without antioxidant supplementation (control); 2) supplemented with 5 mM vitamin E; or 3) supplemented with 10 U/mL GPx. All samples were cryopreserved and thawed. Subjective sperm motility, progressive motility, and the integrity of the sperm membrane, acrosome and DNA were evaluated at semen collection, after 1 h cold storage, and at 0 and 6 h after thawing. Mitochondrial membrane potential, early apoptotic cells, and embryo development by heterologous in vitro fertilization were evaluated after thawing. Captive flat-headed cats were affected by teratozoospermia. After 1 h cold storage, sperm membrane integrity in samples supplemented with GPx was higher than the control group (54.5 ± 13.7 vs 51.3 ± 13.9; P < 0.05; mean ± SD). Sperm frozen in extender with GPx had higher motility at 6 h and greater mitochondrial membrane potential at 0 and 6 h post-thaw incubation than the other groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, GPx improved the quality of frozen-thawed sperm in flat-headed cats.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproduction, Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thuwanut
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chatdarong
authors.forename: A-S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Bergqvist
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Söderquist
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thiangtum
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tongthainan
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Axnér
mesh_terms: D000177:Acrosome / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D056727:Endangered Species; D045989:Felidae / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000187:drug effects; D055101:Semen Analysis / Q000662:veterinary*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants